Chapter 24

Chapter 24

[Revis activation. Likely caused by Umbelt rupture.]
[Umbelt rupture. Likely the result of the soulmate mark.]

“Your dormant Revis ability seems to have awakened due to the damage to your Umbelt,” said the director with a deep sigh.

“Umbelt, as in the individual vessel for storing magic, as you explained earlier?”

“Correct. The vessel that contains a Revis’s magic is exceptionally small. Once it’s full, the body stops producing magic altogether.” The director gestured with his finger, drawing a tiny circle in the air.

“But once that vessel breaks, magic starts generating without limit—even if it exceeds what the body can handle.”

“Then are you saying I’m in danger?”

“Exactly. We believe the abnormal soulmate mark is what caused the rupture.”

At those words, Rose’s shoulders tensed. The soulmate bond between her and James, with no clear cause, wasn’t just some odd phenomenon worthy of academic discussion or gossip. It was a major event—one that had changed the course of a living person’s fate.

‘So because I went around proclaiming I’d save the world, now not only am I at risk, but so is poor Mr. Dautryche?’

One of them, suffering from magic deficiency. The other, from magic overload.

“Then… will I know in advance when I’m going to die, too?”

“Now, now, no need to leap that far. There are always ways to survive.”

That’s right—absorbers. If he found a skilled absorber and received regular treatment, it might not be curable, but it could at least be manageable.

“You can transfer your excess magic to our Rose here, since you’re soulmates.”

“Hold on, Uncle. I’m not even an absorber, and I’ve never once shared any magic with Mr. Dautryche.”

“That can’t be. According to the medical report, there’s magic inside you that clearly originated from an outside source.”

“Uh…”

Watching Rose fumble in confusion while James sat quietly, listening, the director calmly explained:

“Physical contact. Based on what agents observed at the scene and what the medics confirmed, the way to balance your magical output is through physical contact.”

“Excuse me?”

“The deeper and more intense the contact, the better the efficiency of absorption and discharge.”

Rose couldn’t believe what she was hearing in broad daylight. She had to question her own ears.

“And since you two share a soulmate bond, even an absorber won’t be able to treat him instead.”

So that was it?

“Which means, until we figure out how to nullify the mark, the two of you need to work together to stay alive.”

As the director finished his explanation, Rose’s vision spun.

Sure, she had spent the night with him—for the sake of preventing the impending end of the world. She’d assumed that was the end of their entanglement, with no lingering feelings. But now…

She turned to James with a stunned expression. He was calmly sipping his tea, completely unfazed by the embarrassing turn of events.

“I’ll take that as your consent.”

Consent? What consent?!

“Take care of Rose for me.”

Take care of what?! Of who?! Rose glared furiously at Director Crowley from across the room.

Why are these two just deciding everything about me without asking?

Unfortunately, it was futile.

“Be warned, she tends to disappear if you take your eyes off her. You may find yourself playing hide-and-seek.”

“Ah, yes. She’s quite the escape artist.”

How long had they even known each other? Watching them banter so casually made Rose feel like she was going to explode. Still, she had no ground to argue—especially considering what she’d put Director Crowley through during her runaway stunt.

“Rose. I have something to discuss with Mr. Dautryche. Please wait outside for a moment.”

Her face already beet red and on the verge of combusting, Rose nodded quickly and fled the room.

She fanned herself furiously, trying to cool the heat in her cheeks.

Physical contact?!

Deep and intense contact?!

“Insane. Uncle’s lost his mind. How could he say something like that…”

Just recalling what Director Crowley had said made her blood boil. She’d only meant to stop the end of the world!

“It wasn’t supposed to be an ongoing arrangement! What is this?!”

She’d thought that one night had been enough to ruin that cult’s twisted plans completely. But the director’s explanation had blindsided her.

“The soulmate bond may have formed by chance, but that doesn’t mean the power of the mark itself is nullified.”

Those words weighed heavily on her chest.

“Miss Taylor, are you still here?”

Before she could even finish sorting out her chaotic thoughts, the sitting room door opened again—without a hint of tact—and James stepped out.

“W-Wait! Did you just call me Miss Taylor?”

“Ah, would you prefer your full name? Miss Rose Stellania Taylor.”

The moment he spoke her full name in that deep voice of his, Rose’s ears flushed red.

“No, you can just call me whatever you like.”

“Very well, Miss Taylor. Speaking of which, the director…”

“What did Uncle Crowley say to you?”

“…Nothing much. A few instructions and a bit of negotiation.” He gave a casual shrug, then flicked his finger toward his jacket lapel.

A golden pin in the shape of a crow glinted in the light.

It was the insignia of the Golden Crows.

“Mr. Dautryche. Don’t tell me you joined the Golden Crows?”

“I did not. Please, calm down. It’s honorary.”

“That’s a thing?”

“Well, I did have to pay a support fee for this commemorative item.”

“Wait. Not for free? Did Uncle actually extort you to save your life?”

James chuckled and shook his head.

“Nothing of the sort. Apparently, there’s a carriage waiting for us downstairs. Shall we go?”

“Don’t change the subject!”

“I’ll escort you back to your office.”

“You still haven’t answered me!”

“I’ll explain everything on the way. How much longer do you plan to leave a gentleman’s hand empty?”

He had a point. A gentleman escorting a lady was only proper—there was no room for protest. Still, recalling what Director Crowley had said about “physical contact” made her hesitate to take his hand.

Seeing her pause, James said lightly:

“Ah! You haven’t said goodbye to your uncle yet. Go on. I’ll wait here.”

“No, it’s fine. He’s not really my uncle anyway.”

“A government minister personally introduced you as his niece, Miss Taylor. I’m starting to think you’re more impressive than I thought.”

“He was just a friend of my late parents. That’s all.” Rose quickly corrected the misunderstanding, slightly flustered.

“I see. Understood.”

His hand remained extended.

Looking at it, Rose suddenly felt embarrassed. Was she the only one who’d overreacted to the phrase physical contact?

Right. This kind of gesture barely counts as contact…

Trying to reason with herself, she finally placed her hand atop his.

And then it happened again.

That feeling.

Magic was flowing into her.

Far weaker than what she’d felt in the alley, but still unmistakable. Startled, she jerked her hand away.

“Hmm.”

James, too, seemed to sense something. He opened and closed his hand thoughtfully.

“The director was right. The intensity and area of contact definitely affect the magical flow. How do you feel, Miss Taylor?”

“Fine! Totally full! I don’t need any more!”

When he reached out again, Rose panicked and frantically waved her hands.

“Truly? You look like you could still absorb a bit more.”

“No, no! I’m full! That’s it! I can walk to the carriage myself!”

Blushing furiously, she strode ahead, firmly rejecting his escort.

James watched her go, a note of disappointment in his voice.

“I feel like I haven’t finished releasing all of it yet.”

His comment made Rose trip over her own feet and fall with a crash.

“Miss Taylor!”

“I-It’s fine! I can get up on my own!”

She flailed in protest, but his large, warm hand gripped her slender arm and helped her up.

That unfamiliar sensation again.

It was like a thousand hidden butterflies flapped their wings inside her chest; like a fresh spring flowing through her veins.

So warm. So soft. So… exhilarating.

Her heart pounded wildly.

“You seem to still have room.”

“Huh?”

“You’re absorbing my magic without hesitation.”

She’d reached her limit.

The embarrassment, the confusion, the overwhelming emotions—everything crashed over her like a wave.

Right then and there, Rose wanted nothing more than to give up and just cry.